Chattogram Railway Hospital: From Underused Infrastructure to Expanded Public Service

Special Report

A railway hospital in Chattogram that once treated only a handful of patients has reportedly expanded its services to a much larger number of people after steps were taken to make better use of its existing facilities.

The account was shared by Mohammad Fouzul Kabir Khan, former adviser to Bangladesh’s Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources.

According to Khan, during his tenure as an adviser, he visited a railway hospital in Chattogram and found a large facility serving only three patients. Around 20 people—including doctors, nurses, cleaners and security personnel—were working at the hospital.

The facility also had some modern medical equipment. However, its services were largely restricted to railway employees and their dependants.

The situation contrasted sharply with that of Chattogram Medical College Hospital, where, according to Khan, overcrowding had left some patients receiving treatment on the floor.

Seeking to understand why the railway hospital was underused, Khan said he spoke with officials, who cited shortages of doctors and nurses as well as inadequate water supplies. These problems, they said, discouraged patients from seeking treatment there.

Khan said he subsequently proposed opening the hospital to the wider public while ensuring that railway employees and their dependants continued to receive medical services.

Water Supply Was a Major Challenge

According to Khan, inadequate water supply was another major obstacle facing the facility.

He said applications had been made to Chattogram WASA for a water connection, but no effective progress was initially made. The railway station and the Chattogram Railway Building, commonly known as CRB, were also reportedly affected by water-supply problems.

After returning to Dhaka, Khan said he raised the issue with then-health adviser Nurjahan Begum and proposed that railway hospitals be placed under the management of the Health Ministry, with additional doctors, nurses and medical equipment provided where necessary.

He said the proposal received a positive response. Khan then discussed the matter with railway secretary Fahim and proposed a memorandum of understanding between the railway authorities and the Health Ministry.

According to his account, the memorandum was signed within about two weeks.

Khan also said he raised the water-supply issue with then-local government adviser Asif Mahmud. Following further intervention and the payment of the required deposit, water connections were provided to Chattogram Railway Station, the railway hospital and CRB within about a month, according to Khan.

From Three Patients to Nearly 300

Khan said the general manager of Eastern Railway recently contacted him and provided an update on the hospital.

According to Khan, the facility is now treating nearly 300 patients and is operating effectively. Railway employees and their dependants are also continuing to receive medical treatment free of charge, he said.

Khan described the development as an example of how existing public infrastructure can be used more effectively to expand access to essential services.

Small Initiatives, Visible Results

Khan also recalled another initiative aimed at improving cleanliness around railway facilities.

He said private-sector support was sought to install large waste bins at railway stations and in the CRB area. According to information he received from the Eastern Railway general manager, the initiative contributed to improved cleanliness at the stations.

However, Khan acknowledged that not all of the initiatives undertaken during his tenure could be completed.

He said work had begun to address one of the railway system's major challenges—the shortage of locomotives and coaches—but the effort could not be completed because of limited time.

The Wider Lesson

Reflecting on his experience, Khan said that relatively small administrative measures can produce tangible benefits for the public when government agencies coordinate effectively.

His account highlights broader questions about the efficient use of public infrastructure, access to government healthcare facilities and coordination between different government institutions.

While major infrastructure and capacity constraints may require long-term investment, Khan's experience suggests that some improvements can also come through better management, institutional coordination and more effective use of existing resources.

Mohammad Fouzul Kabir Khan
Former Adviser, Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, Bangladesh

Editorial Note

The report above is based on the account provided by Mohammad Fouzul Kabir Khan. Statements attributed to him are presented as his account and have not been independently verified in this text. For publication as a news report, claims concerning patient numbers, water connections, institutional agreements and service improvements should be independently confirmed with the relevant authorities and, where appropriate, supported by documentary records.